By Mr Sampiano Froiland

       St Ildefonso Parish Metro Manila, The Philippines, 29 August 2021 -- The ADMA 2nd EAO (Online) Congress is coming up soon (11-12 September). We hope this Manila young ADMA experience will inspire many to invite our young people to get closer to Mary and thus follow Jesus.

       How did the Youth ADMA start in St Ildefonso parish?

       Youth ADMA started with the initiative of our Parish Priest, Fr Antonio Molavin, SDB to include all the young people as members of ADMA in order to instill in them devotion to Mary Help of Christians which has a special place in Don Bosco’s heart.

       What makes you happy as a youthful ADMA member?

       Being a devotee of Mary Help of Christians, being with young people with a shared common passion of propagating the devotion to Our Lady, knowing the different stories which Don Bosco told about Our Lady, serving the Church with Mary as my companion, guide and intercessor.

       What are the monthly or other youth ADMA activities?

       We commemorate Mary Help of Christians monthly with a Holy Mass with the whole parish community on the 24th. We also have the novena from the 15th to the 23rd of the month. We have the daily Rosary and Good Night. Statues of Mary Help of Christians are given to most of the households and they started 'block rosaries' and the MHC statue goes around the neighborhood. All of these were initiated by our Parish Priest, Fr Antonio Molavin, SDB (aka Bengbeng).

       How are the adult and youth ADMA members related ?

       The Youth ADMA is usually invited by the Adult ADMA to attend the different formation events (ADMA or the general Salesian Family Formation). The Youth ADMA still needs to plan and organize in order to be a fully active organization. As of now, all young people who are serving and in the parish are tagged as Youth ADMA.

       How do you invite and form new members?

       There is still no formal invitation and formation plan for the group. The Youth ADMA in our parish simply are all the young people who are taught about devotion to Mary Help of Christians. The Youth ADMA in our parish is still a young group that needs planning and organizing.

       What is your message to other young Bosconians to motivate joining ADMA?

       Everyone who loves Don Bosco also loves Our Lady Help of Christians. It is the Marian title which Don Bosco propagated and used in intercession in order to establish our beautiful Salesian Family. We, as members of the Salesian Family, should also be one with Don Bosco in the mission to Let Our Lady be known starting from our homes and the places we are in. Devotion to Our Lady also should lead us to Christ Jesus.

       What changed in your life after becoming ADMA member?

       Since I became an ADMA member, I have always called upon Our Lady anytime and in any circumstance. I became very passionate in my devotion to Our Lady. In my past years as a musician and as a music instructor in our parish, I never forget to end my prayer invoking Our Lady to protect and bless us especially our families and loved ones (The young people I taught still do this even today). I also introduced Mary Help of Christians to my classmates and friends. Most of the things that happened in my life, I owe them to Our Lady Help of Christians. She has always brought me back to Jesus whenever I was lost. I never lose hope and courage because I know Our Lady is always at my side, guiding and interceding for me/us at all times.

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